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Volleyball: UAFS Sweeps UCO

Whenever UAFS is in a bind and needs a point, head coach Jane Sargent has told her setters to look for Heidi Luks.

The 5-foot-11 senior from Tallinn, Estonia, posted a game-high 16 kills Monday at the Stubblefield Center as the Lady Lions posted a 25-18, 25-19, 25-19 nonconference win against the University of Central Oklahoma.

Luks, the reigning Heartland Conference Player of the Year, had 25 attacking chances against the Bronchos (4-8). Sargent said it probably should have been more.

“She had a great night. She was 16-of-25 with one hitting error for a .600 attacking percentage — that’s pretty impressive,” Sargent said. “I don’t think we get her the ball enough. I get all over our setters that she should be our first option. She is a lot of times, but probably should be more often.”

Through 31 sets in nine matches, Luks has 105 kills. Jordan Pickett, a 6-1 junior college transfer, is second on the team with 84 after posting nine kills against UCO.

Monday’s sweep was the seventh consecutive win for UAFS. The Lady Lions (8-1) have swept the last six matches since a five-set win against St. Joseph on Sept. 1. Including the final two sets of that match, UAFS has won 21 consecutive sets.

Against Central Oklahoma, UAFS benefited from several mistakes by the Bronchos as sets failed to connect with hitters on numerous plays. Faith Harmon — UCO’s lone setter — finished with 25 assists. The Lady Lions’ setting duo of Whitney Hale and Stephanie Brock combined for 40.

“We’ve got a senior (Hale) and junior (Brock) leading us and you need that experience at that position,” Sargent said. “They’re the quarterback. It’s just like the difference between Tyler Wilson and (Brandon Allen) playing for the Arkansas football team.”

Luks also led UAFS with 15 digs, while Tory Kappel added 13 and Emily McCollum had 11.

UAFS is currently in second place in the Heartland Conference with a 2-0 league record. The remainder of this week could play a big role in determining the regular-season championship. UAFS plays at St. Edward’s (5-3, 2-1) on Thursday and at conference-leading Dallas Baptist (6-3, 3-0) on Saturday.

“It’s going to be a hard week. We’re on the road to Austin to St. Edward’s and then we turn around and play Dallas Baptist,” Sargent said. “Those are the two best teams in conference. If we can get through this week (with two more wins), it’ll be a real boost.”